Inventor’s Handbook

This handbook was created by the Lemelson-MIT Program to address the independent inventor’s and aspiring entrepreneur’s most frequently asked questions regarding United States patents. We hope that this handbook will provide some helpful information on the patenting and commercialization processes.
Chapter 1: What Is Intellectual Property?
Chapter 2: What Can Be Patented?
Chapter 3: Is My Idea Patentable?
Chapter 4: How Do I Conduct a Patent Search?
Chapter 5: Is My Invention Worth Patenting?
Chapter 6: How Do I Apply for a Patent?
Chapter 7: How Do I Prove the Idea Is Mine?
Chapter 8: What Are Some Options to Commercialize My Patent?
Chapter 9: How Do I License My Invention?
Chapter 10: What Are Some Guidelines in Developing a Business Plan?
Chapter 11: How Do I Raise Capital?
Resources for Inventors

THE LEMELSON-MIT PROGRAM HANDBOOK FOR INVENTORS IS PROVIDED ON AN INFORMATIONAL BASIS ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE. THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.